Dirt

by William Letford

The poems in this collection celebrate dirt, and try to bring out the beauty within the muck and the soil of society. Sex and religion weave their way through the collection in a manner that grounds them. Relationships and language are brought low to reveal a power at the core of what makes us human. Many of the poems were written during and inspired by Billy's time travelling through India. Beauty and humor are the threads that bind these poems together. Despite everything that pushes against them, they are all part of the same dance.

Genres: Poetry

62 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourites of 2016, in the category 'Best Poetry Collection To Read Aloud to Someone You Care About':
http://www.kirstylogan.com/best-books...

[Paul Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite poetry books, I’ve given it as a present half a dozen times - mainly to people getting married or celebrating anniversaries. This is for one poem - Marriage. This is the only poem I have ever read out in public - once in a pub and once at my parents’ diamond wedding anniversary. There are other wonderful poems too - including The Bevvy, one I perform for myself with a voice that mimics Billy Connelly. It is a volume I frequently dip into.

[Tôpher Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decidedly modernist and adventurous. A delightful collection from the roofer poet (though rarely even a mention of roofing) these poems travel to India and back encountering love, culture, characters and a radical granny. Scottish, working class and intellectual, these are poems which engage, question and elucidate with both passion and humour.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more varied collection than Bevel - there are some outstanding poems here, but for me it was not quite so strong.

[Claire Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read of this poet and very much enjoyed the poetry.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a collection this hangs together less evenly than Bevel, but there are some great poems and some great ideas in there. William Letford is always worth reading, and if you get the chance, particularly worth listening to.

[David Kenvyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across William Letford at a literary event in Glasgow called “Discombobulate”. He was mesmerising. The soft cadences of his voice matched perfectly with his poetry. Then he published his first poetry collection “Bevel” which I took with me on a trip to South Africa, where I was cataloguing a library. Now his second collection, Dirt, has been published and I have it with me in Bangladesh where I am cataloguing a library. I seem fated to take Billy Letford’s poetry with me on long journeys to places where I am cataloguing a library, as something to do during my retirement.
This book is enchanting, but not in the insipid sense of the word. Letford makes you listen to what he is saying in his verse, and requires you to think deeply. He makes no compromises with his language, requiring you to make the effort when it comes to understanding Scots. He also writes in a Standard English that is truly breath-taking, capturing the moment with a word or a phrase. In one poem he describes not a couple wanting to get out of bed, and fantasising about the reasons for not doing it until reality kicks in, and the woman recognises that she has to get ready for work. In another, he describes a confrontation with some wild dogs in Pushkar and how it is a local who knows what to do who drives the dogs away. [I suppose this resonates with me because I am in Bangladesh, and there are plenty of dogs on the streets.]
Letford always chooses the right word, captures the moment, and brings you as the reader to an understanding of what is happening, of his thoughts about the things that he is describing. In this he is truly remarkable. He is particularly brilliant in describing people coping with uncomfortable situations, such as an interview being conducted by a “middle management centaur, half man, half desk” or a visit to his granny who he finds smoking a joint, not really to his surprise.
He also writes about the sublime, the inevitable, how two people come together, not necessarily for ever, but for long enough for them to influence each other. His poem, “Young Rambo” is a glorious example of how a few words can change someone. In “Marriage” someone, presumably the best man, is wishing that the couple experience “the incidental, the ordinary”, knowing someone by the way they move their fork. In “The North” he describes the birth of two people who are to become a couple, and how they will eventually meet.
This is a remarkable collection of poems. You will give yourself a huge treat if you decide to read it.